Page 129 of Delicate Storm

“I’m pretty lucky.”

“Nah, I don’t believe that. He’s got an amazing dad. I think he gets it from him.”

“Thanks, Paige.”

“Want me to put him on?”

“I do, but first, is it okay if I stay here a little longer? I can come home if you need me to, but—”

“No, I’m fine here. Isaac already asked if I could read to him at bedtime, and I saw you had some chicken and veggies in the fridge. Can I cook that?”

Easton audibly sighs. “Paige, you could give him ice cream for dinner and I’d be grateful.”

“I’ll cook the chicken.” I huff out a laugh.

He sighs again and I wish I was there until I realize being here would mean more to him.

“Thank you, Paige. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Once again, it’s one of those throwaway lines, but the thing is, I’m not sure what I’d do without him either. Not that I tell him that. Now is not the time.

“Don’t thank me yet, because in all honesty, I don’t know what I’m doing and I’m freaking out.”

Easton laughs and I can picture him shaking his head. “Welcome to my world, every day.”

“Panic aside, it’s not such a bad world. I kind of like it.” Easton falls silent and I curse myself for speaking so openly. “Anyway, I’ll get Isaac. One sec. Isaac,” I call out. “It’s your dad.”

He runs in from the kitchen, abandoning his cookie, and grabs the phone from my outstretched hand. “Hi, Dad. Did you have a good day?”

I walk away, giving them some space, but my heart stays in the room with them. I may not know much about kids, but I’ve been one, and I have younger cousins. I don’t remember any of them being this sweet.

When they’ve been talking for a couple of minutes, I walk past to see if they’re wrapping things up and hear Isaac say three little words that completely shatter me.

“I lub Paige, Dad.” He hangs up and I barely get a chance to process it when he comes running toward me with my phone. “Here.” He hands it over. “Can we play now?”

“Of course.” I smile while my heart pounds in my chest. “What do you want to do next?”

“One more book. Please.” Isaac smiles up at me and I laugh.

“I’m worried that if you keep saying ‘one more,’ it’s going to be morning and you won’t have gone to sleep yet. I can’t say no to you.”

His eyes widen before he sucks his lips into his mouth and shakes. “Can I stay upallnight?” he asks excitedly. “Dad never lets me do that.”

“No, youdefinitelycan’t do that. Your dad will never let me look after you again. And I like getting to play with you.”

“Me too. I like that too.”

“Good, so you agree. One more book and then sleep.”

“One more.” He nods before curling into me, and a short burst of pain hits deep in my chest. I can’t say for sure, but I’m almost certain it was my heart breaking so I could give a piece of it to Isaac, while another piece already belongs to his dad.

God, what am I doing?

I can’t fall for Easton. He doesn’t want that and my life is already so complicated. And likely to get worse.

Isaac jumps off the bed while I’m lost in my head and searches his bookshelf for another book, throwing the rejects onto the floor until he’s found one he wants.

It’s on the longer side, but I don’t mind. I like his company, and if I’m being honest, the second he’s asleep I’m going to have to face my feelings, and I’m not ready to do that.

“One day, in the magic forest of Esterold, a little boy…”

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